Junior linebacker Cregg Matthews enjoyed his first season playing for the View Park Knights. He has been playing Varsity ball since he was a freshman at Verbum Dei; Matthews transferred to View Park as a sophomore.
“I love playing for View Park because I’m a Knight at heart,” he said. “I graduated here in the eighth grade and I just love the school.”
Along with football, Matthews runs track, competing in the 100m, 4x100m, 200m, 4x400m events. He sprinted for the Knights during his sophomore year and earned a medal at one of the meets.
“I won my first medal, it was only my second year running track,” Matthews said. “It just motivated me more to get even more medals and I just held that as a memorable [experience].”
Matthews noted how English is his favorite subject and how he excels in that class. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” is one of his favorite books. On his spare time, he volunteers with a group called Missionaries of Faith.
“We start at around seven, eight o’clock in the morning, we make sandwiches and make little lunches and we go pass them out to the homeless,” Matthews said. “It started at my old school and I just continued to do it.”
Time management is key to juggle his multiple obligations. Leisure activities, like listening to music, is set aside until other tasks are finished. The football coaching staff also stress the importance of having proficient academics.
“We have to have weekly progress reports and we have to get them signed by our teachers,” Matthews said. “I think that’s a really big help for everybody to stay on their grades and that’s a big, key part for my principal, too.”
Running track benefited Matthews on the gridiron. The running methods he learned in track made him more effective at running in football.
“You have to run a certain way, you have to have a certain form and that helps me with football,” Matthews said. “It taught me how to squeeze in more steps to go faster and to keep my pace going and not get winded.”
Matthews chose the linebacker position because he enjoys tackling opponents. During this past season, he made 70 total tackles, 49 solo hits and 5.0 tackles for loss. In the Knights 24-28 loss to the Monroe Vikings, Matthews made a season high of 11 total stops and 3.0 tackles for loss.
“[The] coaches really been working with me, getting my footwork together,” Matthews said. “Helping me build my skills, sharpen my iron, sharpen my craft.”
Do you know an athlete on honor roll who is a leader at their school? Email [email protected] to nominate your student. Cheerleaders and dance team members also qualify.
